I went to NY Maritime then joined the Navy where I was the 1st Lt (deck officer) and then navigator on a destroyer in the Pacific. I never bothered getting my 3rd Mate's license until many years later after which I delivered yachts, drove charter boats and then worked on research ships. I've been working a desk job in the industry for the last 6 years but am seriously considering going back to sea. Being home every night is nice, but there's something about completing an ocean crossing and pulling into port for the first time that no shore job can come close to.

You guys that have been in the navy (regardless of nation), how did you feel in the transition to the "real" merchant marine fleet (upper tonnage, long hauls, etc).

There are a lot of "ex" Navy types in the US Merchant Marines. Now a days, just about the only way to get your sea-time for unlimited tonnage is by joining the Navy or going to one of the academies. Consequently there's a massive shortage of AB Unlimited's who often get paid nearly as much as a 3rd.